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Jasper Hill

Until 1975 Australian Ron Laughton was employed as a food scientist, with considerable responsibilities, yet he was disillusioned. So much so that he left his job and, with the help of his wife Elva, established the Jasper Hill winery in Heathcote, Victoria. They lived on site in a caravan whilst expanding the vineyards, and then set about building their own house. The two vineyards are Georgia's Paddock and Emily's Paddock, named after the Laughton's two daughters. Emily's Paddock was already planted, with ungrafted Shiraz and a little Cabernet Franc, when the Laughtons purchased the estate. The previous owner had used the fruit for home winemaking! Within the first year Ron Laughton planted Georgia's Paddock, using a single clone of Shiraz from Penfolds, again planting ungrafted material. A small proportion of Georgia's Paddock, about seven acres, is planted with Riesling, and there is even a little Nebbiolo.

Ron Laughton of Jasper Hill Viticulture and winemaking is quite simple, although Ron Laughton has no desire to be 'organic'. In the vineyard he uses sulphur and Bordeaux mixture, both entirely compatible with organic winemaking, although Laughton will use other sprays as deemed necessary. Following harvest the fruit is destemmed and fermented using cultured yeasts. The fruit is macerated for up to two weeks for extraction. Both red wines are oaked, although the more fruity Georgia's Paddock sees American oak, whilst Emily's Paddock sees French (Nevers) oak. Production is very small, a maximum of 3000 cases. Of these only 400 are Emily's Paddock, so naturally it carries an appropriate price tag, and it is difficult to source this wine outside of Australia. Up to 2000 are Georgia's Paddock Shiraz, the remainder are Riesling. I recently met Ron Laughton and he showed me his latest vintages of both Emily's and Georgia's Paddock, together with the Riesling also sourced from Georgia's Paddock. I found Laughton to be relaxed, approachable and quite effacing, happy to chat and to talk all and sundry through his wines. Admirable qualities considering the sheer quality of the wines produced at this estate. (15/1/04)

Contact details:
Address: PO Box 110, Heathcote, Victoria 3523
Telephone: +61 (0) 8 5433 2528
Fax: +61 (0) 8 5433 3143
Internet: www.jasperhill.com

Jasper Hill - Tasting Notes

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2003

Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Riesling (Heathcote, Victoria) 2003: Lovely fruit on the nose here. Aromatic notes, limes and cream. A full, rich, almost creamy palate. Moderate acidity. Plenty of fruit here. One of the better Australian Rieslings I have tasted. 16.5/20 (November 2003)

2002

Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Shiraz (Heathcote, Victoria) 2002: Intense black fruit on the nose, with vanilla and chocolate. A similar profile on the palate, with a huge, creamy intensity of chocolate-edged fruit underpinned by a wealth of ripe tannins for structure. Still has noticeable vanillin oak but this will integrate. This is extremely good, and warrants five to eight years in the cellar. 17+/20 (November 2003)

Jasper Hill Emily's Paddock Shiraz Cabernet Franc (Heathcote, Victoria) 2002: This has very fine, dark chocolate on the nose, alongside dense black fruits. The palate is simply beautiful - very firm, but with an edge of texture that will surely develop further. Piles of smooth, glossy black fruits, with plenty of background tannin and firm acidity. This is huge, a combination of power and elegance. It also needs five to eight years in the cellar. 17.5+/20 (November 2003)

1994

Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock (Heathcote, Victoria) 1994: Dark core fading a little at the rim. Brooding, crushed blackberry fruit nose. Oak here too, sweet yet sweaty and leathery. Exotic spices. The palate is pure, focussed and balanced, with concentration and structure showing on the midpalate. Very supple and fluid ripe and spicy. Brilliant quality. Needs five years. Showing much better than my last tasting. 17+/20 (September 2004)

Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock (Heathcote, Victoria) 1994: Quite opaque. Restrained on the nose. Opens out a little, giving some red and black fruit gum sweetness. Raspberry and coffee flavours on the palate, with some toffee oak. Rich, balanced, quite elegant. A delicious wine, but somewhat overshadowed in this company. From an Australian Shiraz blind tasting. 16/20 (March 2001)